Christmas & “Show Ya Love” win Rumph Classic

Last weekend, Dionte Christmas and his “Show Ya Love” squad won the 7th annual Rumph Classic held in Philadelphia. The tournament, named in memory of Danny Rumph, is held each year as a tribute to him. Rumph, who graduated from Parkway High in 2001, and went on to play hoops for Western Kentucky University, sadly passed away from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at the age of 21. This thickening of the heart muscle causes sudden cardiac arrest & strikes even the healthiest of victims with no warning.

Rumph’s family started the Daniel E. Rumph foundation in hopes of raising awareness and money to combat Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM. The foundation helps to provide defibrillators to local rec centers & high schools and also assists athletes in getting tested for Cardiomyopathy. The Rumph Classic is the cornerstone of the foundation, and each year it brings the city of Philly and it’s residents together to enjoy the game that Daniel Rumph loved.

This year, the tournament was won by the “Show Ya Love” squad and tourney MVP Dionte Christmas. Christmas, recently signed to the Celtics, beat Ronald “Flip” Murray and the “Rumph Center” team 73-67 in the title game on Monday night. Wayne Ellington of the Grizzlies chipped in 16 points and his Memphis teammate Mo Speights grabbed 13 boards.